AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers – Group A: Syria 1-0 Bhutan; Vietnam 3-0 Guam
Syria earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bhutan in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Qualifiers Group A tie on Wednesday. Vietnam, meanwhile, secured the second win of their campaign after defeating Guam 3-0.
26/09/2024 11:56:03
Vietnam 3-0 Guam
Vietnam applied pressure on Guam from the first blow of the whistle and came close to scoring in the 12th minute after Nguyen Bao Long laid the ball for Nguyen Luong Tuan Khai on the right flank, with the defender’s effort forcing Guam keeper Josiah Jones into a save.
Guam flirted with danger in the 17th minute but Nguyen Le Phat fired his headed attempt from inside the box high, while an unmarked Nguyen Dang Duong saw his effort deflected for a corner.
Guam’s worst fears were realised after Dabe Augustin handled the ball inside the box, with Nguyen Le Phat making no mistake from the spot to put Vietnam ahead in the 23rd minute.
Vietnam doubled their tally in the first minute of the first half added time with Le Nguyen Van Tho turning in Nguyen Cong Phuong’s free-kick from close range.
Guam sat deeper in the second half with Jones pulling out fine saves to keep out Nguyen Cong Phuong twice, first from close range followed by a dangerous cross into the box off a set-piece situation.
Vietnam had a chance to go three clear in the 72nd minute but Jones’ instinctive reaction foiled substitute Hoang Minh Tien’s grounded effort off Nguyen Cong Phuong’s through ball.
The home side, however, added their third through Nguyen Hoang Khanh’s headed attempt in the first minute of added time to seal the points.
Syria 1-0 Bhutan
Syria came into the tie hoping to build on their 4-0 win over Bangladesh on opening day, while Bhutan were eyeing to bounce back after drawing 1-1 with Guam before going down 5-0 against Vietnam.
Syria were the more threatening with Ahmad Alkalou pulling his effort wide in the third minute before Ahmed Mustafa angled his headed attempt off target in the 18th minute.
Bhutan were comfortable soaking up the pressure as Syria wasted chances with Mahmoud Al Omar forcing a fine save from goalkeeper Lhocho Nima following a neat build-up in the 42nd minute before Mohammad Al Mustafa flashed his header wide in the closing stages of the first half.
The goal finally arrived for Syria nine minutes later after Alkalou finished Al Omar’s cross with a glancing header to seal the win.
Source: AFC
